AV天堂网

When Jordy Eduardo Padilla-Solis 鈥�15 was interning for a local construction company that was helping build the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven, he saw how much of an impact a new bridge could have on a community. Padilla-Solis, who was born in Suc煤a, Ecuador, came to the United States when he was seven years old and grew up in New Haven.

Many thousands of cars pass over the bridge, known locally as the 鈥淨 Bridge,鈥� each day as they cross over the Quinnipiac River on I-95. Padilla-Solis was grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such an important project in his community.

A member of the University鈥檚 Alumni Civil Engineering Advisory Professional Board, Padilla-Solis is now being recognized by his alma mater. He is the 2022 recipient of the Tagliatela College of Engineering Outstanding Young Alumni Award, which honors the achievements of alumni who have graduated within 10 years or are under 35 years of age.

鈥淚 was very happy and surprised to have received this award,鈥� said Padilla-Solis, a graduate of the University鈥檚 civil engineering program. 鈥淎s someone who grew up in New Haven, this recognition is a reminder of the importance of community building. It is truly an honor to be recognized by the engineering faculty of the University.鈥�

鈥楢 team that could help transform cities鈥�

A senior engineer for , a firm in New York City, Padilla-Solis focuses on bridge design and rehabilitation. He is currently working on a project involving the Queensboro Bridge, which connects Manhattan and Queens.

Over the past several years, he has also been utilizing , a specialized concrete for bridge rehabilitation. He鈥檚 been working with several agencies and the to promote applications for UHPC.

鈥淚 chose civil engineering because I wanted to be part of a team that could help transform cities,鈥� he said.

鈥楾he family is very honored鈥�

The award is one of three that the TCoE is presenting as part of an alumni dinner event that will be held later this month. The Tagliatela family, longtime supporters of the TCoE, which bears their name, will receive the Exemplary Partner Award. It honors the contributions of individuals or corporate partners who have demonstrated exemplary service toward the advancement of the TCoE.

Stephen Tagliatela 鈥�13 Hon., co-owner of in Old Saybrook, Conn., who also co-owns , in New Haven with family members Patricia Tagliatela and Louis Tagliatela Jr. 鈥�17 Hon., says seeing the work and achievements of students and graduates of the TCoE is 鈥渧ery rewarding.

鈥淚t strengthens our partnership with the University, particularly with the College of Engineering,鈥� said Stephen Tagliatela, a member of the University鈥檚 Board of Governors. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like reinvesting in our community, and we want to give back to the community that has treated us so well. We believe supporting the University is a great investment, and the growth and quality of the programs as well as the diversity of the students make for a very big success story.鈥�

鈥淭he family is very honored to receive this award,鈥� added Patricia Tagliatela. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had a wonderful partnership with the University.鈥�

鈥業t鈥檚 wonderful to be recognized鈥�

The Tagliatela family鈥檚 continuous support of the TCoE, as well as its civil engineering programs, has created countless opportunities for students and for the TCoE to grow. The family has recently established the Tagliatela Family Chair in Civil Engineering, the Tagliatela Family Scholarship in Civil Engineering, and the Tagliatela Family Civil Engineering Laboratory. Members of the Tagliatela family are looking forward to attending the award ceremony.

鈥淭his recognition strengthens our partnership and makes us feel closer to the University,鈥� said Louis Tagliatela Jr. 鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful to be recognized. It鈥檚 a proud alliance we鈥檝e had for a long time.

鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing when you see the display of senior projects and you meet the students and see what they鈥檝e accomplished,鈥� he continued. 鈥淭he intern program that the students have is also so important, especially with Connecticut companies. It鈥檚 so important to keep that talent and those skills in Connecticut.鈥�

鈥業t is a rewarding experience鈥�

Ann Cox 鈥�83, a project manager for , will receive the Distinguished Lifetime Alumni Award, which recognizes the career achievements of outstanding alumni. Cox, who has worked in the aerospace industry for more than three decades, has played a critical role in missions to the moon and Mars, as well as space shuttle missions. She is also passionate about supporting and inspiring future engineers.

鈥淚 am honored to receive this award,鈥� said Cox. 鈥淭he education I received at the University provided a solid technical foundati on that enabled me to explore and excel in a wide range of engineering areas. The University鈥檚 challenging curriculum and engaging faculty were instrumental to the accomplishments I鈥檝e achieved throughout my career.鈥�

The awards are being presented for the first time since the pandemic. The alumni dinner will bring together alumni and faculty to celebrate the award recipients.

For Padilla-Solis, the Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient, those connections have been particularly important. It was one of his faculty mentors with whom he is still in contact, Byungik Chang, Ph.D., P.E., MBA, who invited him to join the Alumni Civil Engineering Advisory Professional Board. He says he has had 鈥渓ifelong mentors鈥� after graduating.

鈥淚 was able to attend and graduate successfully from the AV天堂网 through the support of multiple mentors,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 now have the opportunity to serve as a mentor to current students who want to know more about the industry and prospective students who are interested in majoring in civil engineering. It is a rewarding experience to talk about my career experience and how it ties back to my time as a student at the University.鈥�